Former Tharaka Nithi gubernatorial candidate Gitare Mbiuki found dead in suspected murder-suicide

Former Tharaka Nithi gubernatorial candidate Gitare Mbiuki was found dead in his car on Monday, with police investigating whether he was murdered or committed suicide.

Mbiuki’s body was found in his car, which was parked on the roadside in Kanyuambora, more than 50 kilometers from his home in Weru.

Police said preliminary findings showed that he had shot himself in the head, but the motive for his death remains unclear.

There were blood stains on the side of his car, and witnesses said they saw the vehicle parked at the scene on Monday afternoon.

Mbiuki’s family told police that he left home at around 3pm on Monday and that they had tried to reach him on the phone two hours later, but their calls went unanswered.

The family then filed a missing persons report at a police station in Tharaka Nithi before embarking on a search for their kin.

Police recovered a Forjas Taurus pistol with eight rounds of ammunition from the car. The gun was found on Mbiuki’s chest, above his left hand.

A spent cartridge was also recovered from the scene.

The body of the deceased was moved to Tenri Ena Hospital mortuary pending autopsy.

Police said investigations into the incident are ongoing.